WHO THE HELL WANTS TO GO TO A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION?

WHO THE HELL WANTS TO GO TO A COLLEGE OF EDUCATION?
While I came up from secondary school, I never took a moment to wonder where else I could go if I did not go to a University. I did not know where any Polytechnic was and a College of Education never once crossed my mind. But that was those days when I had to make 260 marks to study English and Literature in the University of Benin. Those days are gone now. Today there are more students trying to get into one department in University of Ibadan than there were students trying to enter an entire university in my time. Which means things have changed and so must we.
These days, many are just interested in getting university education and a certificate that declares them as ‘graduates’. Some would go to a university of agriculture when they have deep hatred for the farm. Others would attend a university of education when they have no intention whatsoever to teach even their own children. Meantime, the schools are giving the students fewer spaces every year. The outcome is that there are candidates who have written the UTME (JAMB’s matriculation examination) between four and seven times and have not been given spaces in the universities. They have either not scaled JAMB’s cut off mark or have been stopped by the Post UTME) conducted by the universities.
Still, these candidates are unwilling to go anywhere but the universities and so many have come off completely disillusioned and ruined and still not getting the admission. Still, they will neither go to a Polytechnic nor a College of Education. Now, this is where the error resides. A member of my church gave his daughters only one opportunity each to write UTME after secondary school. When they didn’t pass, he shipped them off to a nearby College of Education and asked them to pass the examination from there if they still wanted to. The advantage was that NO YEAR WAS WASTED. If they were not gaining from JAMB, they were rising in their profiles. The girls were to graduate three years after and still find some of their friends still writing UTME. Those three years had been completely wasted and they were far less scholars than they were in their first attempt of UTME. Meanwhile, the daughters in question were NCE Graduates. They were trained professionals, eligible to teach in Nigerian schools and in fact pay their way through school if they chose. They were qualified to enter the universities by Direct Entry and when they eventually did, they found themselves doing better than many of the other students because all they were doing had all already been done to a reasonable extent previously.
But our society feels that Colleges of Education are a waste of time. Nothing can be further away from the truth. This army of youths, desperate to enter the universities have adopted every dubious method to enter and graduate. So many of them roam the streets and when time catches up with them, they fake certificates all in an attempt to make up for the time JAMB has ‘stolen’ from them. This is why we need to begin a re-education process for them. The ones that are cut out to get into the university and are fortunate to scale all hurdles will go. The ones that are equally gifted but are unable to get admission can find an alternative route to get what they desire rather than pine away year after year. This is the reason I put up the advert calling everyone to tell those who need it that there is admission going on at Tai Solarin College of Education Omu Ijebu.
The school is in the outskirts of Ijebu Ode and offers courses in Education, Languages, Vocation, Science, Arts and Social Sciences. Candidates who scored 160 and above in UTME are eligible for outright admission where their O’ Level credits are in place. If the O’ Level has deficiencies, such candidates are admitted into NCE Foundation which gives them a time frame to pass the O’Level subjects. Such students can get their forms for N2,000. Where candidates have not scored 160, they are admitted to the Remedial School from where they will prepare for examinations while remaining eligible for further studied in the school the moment they get their results. Forms for this category are N5,000. The school also runs a course that awards Diplomas in Education for teachers who do not yet have educational qualifications.
When I posted this on my profile this morning I got some responses I would like to share:
Kukogho Iruesiri Samson You should not be sorry to post this (at least I think so). It is a progressive idea. My best friend wasted 5years waiting for a university admission, wanting to be like me. The other guy went through polytechnic and then DE. He’s done with NYSC
Sonia Moore It is a very wise advice, because it’s a shorter course to the university after spending a year at the College for direct entry, instead of being idle and going into crimes, in the name of writing and waiting for post jamb results.
Akínbóyè Akienz Fáyömí The wise will think right and find opportunities where there seems to be none, while the shallow minded remains stagnant. Good one there
Balogun Hammed Those who have ears should listen. This similar problem has also occurred to me also. Written UTME 4 times & insisting not to go to any university other than LASU, not knowing was just wasting my time. See it today I landed at MOCPED.

So do society a favour, tell the children to enrol at TASCE. They may finish with the NCE and be qualifies professionals and then proceed to degree courses. They can prepare for UTME there in TASCE and pass their required examination. The ones who took this advice two or three years ago are doing well in their universities. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please tell somebody.

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24 Comments

precioussaid,

chumaokoyesaid,

Tosin, The difference is that one is a University of Education and the other is a College of Education. The government of Otunba Gbenga Daniel separated the schools and it has been that way since then. Their reasons still generate a lot of debate so i will not go there.

Precious Imoleayosaid,

chumaokoyesaid,

Tosin: we do have a number of nursing mothers. The school operates a creche for those who want and can afford it. Other take their accommodation in town. We do have part-time centres. One is at Ogijo. I will confirm tomorrow if there is any other one nearer Lagos. And by the way, your e-mailis bouncing mails.

Tosinsaid,

People seeing a university degree at all cost are missing it! Experince acquired at other post secondary institutions cannot be over-emphasised. I think the parents need re-orientation. To the youths, lets stop running after shadow. Time: no matter how rich you are cannot be bought. Think and be wise!

chumaokoyesaid,

Moji adetola-ajidagbasaid,

Excellent write up!i was in dis shoes several years ago when my dad wanted me to be a university students but after several trials of JAMB exams,a friend told me abt d College of Education and lo and behold I finish my 3yrs programme even while attemptin the JAMB exams each year durin and after my NCE programme.my friends who refuse toattend d College entered d university 5yrs after.

chumaokoyesaid,

Mojisola, thanks for sharing your experience. Some people think it is fiction. They have been told the College of Education is for second-rate people. Some people even say they have a low mentality. Well, I have taught both College of Education and University of Education and I know that what height one can rise to lies within one. Again, I thank you.

chumaokoyesaid,

Yes. But you need to be sure what you want to do. You.may choose to rewrite UTME. Or a long term course. Since you didnt write UTME you can only be admitted into 4yr NCE. You receive lectures with full time and your 4th year is for Teaching Practice and Project. Decide properly